Actinic Keratosis

Also known as: Solar keratosis, Actinic Keratosis


Causes:
Chronic sun exposure. Sun exposure is cumulative, so even a short period in the sun adds up over a lifetime.

Condition:
Actinic keratosis is a scaly or crusty growth or lesion most often found on a bald scalp, face, ears, lips, hands or any other sun exposed area of the body. AKs develop slowly and range in size from a 1/8 of an inch to a 1/4 of an inch. Most AKs become red, but some will be light or dark tan, pink or the color of your skin.

How to Recognize AK:

• Elevated, rough in texture and resemble warts
• Fine sandpapery roughness, or scaly, crusty surface

Treatments:

• Topical Medications: Aldera, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Imiquimod
• Cryotherapy or Liquid Nitrogen therapy freezes the AKs. Repeat treatment may be necessary.
• Laser Surgery
• Photodynamic Therapy: Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), is applied to lesions and exposed to strong light which activates the 5-ALA and destroys the actinic keratosis